This year's exercise is conducted from 6 to 22 January 2012 and involves about 600 personnel from the 23rd, 24th and 285th Battalions, Singapore Artillery (SA). The 285th Battalion is made up of Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) who are undergoing their battalion evaluation in New Zealand.

Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Ravinder Singh, visited the exercise yesterday with New Zealand Army Chief MG Timothy Keating, where he witnessed the battalion live-firing and interacted with the SAF troops. MG Ravinder Singh, who is in New Zealand for his introductory visit, also called on MG Keating in Wellington today as part of his visit.

Exercise Thunder Warrior has been conducted annually in New Zealand since 1997 and underscores the close and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and New Zealand. The SAF and the New Zealand Defence Force interact extensively through a wide range of bilateral and multilateral training exercises, professional exchanges and courses. Both armed forces also interact regularly under the ambit of the Five Power Defence Arrangements.